This is an 500 year old Tibetan text translated by Jacob Winkler. This text eludes to some of the medicinal properties of the Cordyceps mushroom. It explains the ancient preparation process of this highly valued mushroom and some of its benefits. Nyamnyi Dorje Palden Zurkhar. (1439-1475). Mushroaming.com.

In our investigation for free radical scavengers from the methanolic extract of the Chaga mushroom, 6 compounds were isolated. Their structures were established by extensive spectroscopic analyses. These compounds exhibited significant scavenging activity against the ABTS radical cation and DPPH radical, and showed moderate activity against the superoxide radical anion. In-Kyoung Lee, Young-Sook Kim, Yoon-Woo Jang, Jin-Young Jung and Bong-Sik Yun (2007) [Electronic version]. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters
Volume 17, Issue 24, 15 December 2007, Pages 6678-6681
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Brief on Turkey Tail mushroom and its uses in Cancer and Cancer prevention. (2007) Baptist Health Systems, October, 2007. Retrieved December 9, 2007 from:
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The use of Shiitake, Lentinulus edodes dates at least to 100 AD in China. Today, Shiitake mushrooms are very popular in the United States as well. Research into the anti-cancer properties of shiitake mushrooms has been going on since at least the 1960s. Animal studies have shown some positive results regarding the anti-tumor, cholesterol-lowering, and virus-inhibiting effects of several active compounds in Shiitake mushrooms. American Cancer Society (2007).
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The Turkey Tail mushroom, (Coriolus versicolor or Trametes versicolor) is used in traditional Asian herbal remedies. PSK and PSP extracted from the Turkey Tail are natural substances that have anticancer properties and may lessen some side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. American Cancer Society (2007)
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Chinese tonifying herbs such as Ganoderma and Cordyceps, which possess antioxidant and/or immunomodulatory activities, can be useful in the prevention and treatment of age-related diseases. Pharmacological studies on tonifying herbs suggest that they possess antioxidant properties and exert immunomodulatory functions that may boost a weak immune system and may also suppress overreactive immune responses. Ko, K. M., Leung, H. Y. (2007). [Electronic Version]. Chinese Medicine, v.2:3.
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This document describes different integrative approaches to Colon Cancer. Amongst them are medicinal mushrooms. A study on the Turkey Tail mushroom (Coriolus versicolor) used in Stage II and III colorectal cancer is discussed. Clinic Staff (2006) Myrna Brind Center of Integrative Medicine
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Histamine-mediated allergic responses like asthma and allergies are increasing in frequency and are difficult to target with modern medicine. This article discusses how a unique array of compounds within Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi), could play a major role in treatment of histamine-mediated allergic responses. Powell, M. (2006) [Electronic version]. Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, May, 2006.
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The extracts of Cordyceps sinensis (CSE) and Cordyceps militaris (CME) are well-known for their biological effects. In the present study, the antioxidant efficiency of CME and CSE in protecting lipid, protein, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) against oxidative damage was investigated. Yu H. M., Wang B. S., Huang S. C., Duh P.D. (2006).  J. Agric. Food Chem. 54(8)3132-38.
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Of twenty mushrooms tested, fresh oyster mushrooms produced the most significant levels of cytotoxicity on prostate cancer cells. Gu, Y. H., Sivam, G. (2006). Journal of Medicinal Food. 9(2) : 196-204. 2006.